Choosing The Right HVAC System For Your Home

If you have an old HVAC system or your HVAC system has broken down, you need to consider replacing it. The problem is that there are a lot of different HVAC systems on the market and you could have a hard time choosing the right one. If you are in the market, there are a number of factors that you should look at and consider when choosing the right HVAC system for your home.

The Type Of System

There are different types of HVAC systems that you can get and you need to know what they are. This will help you make the right choice for your home based on what you want and currently have. You could choose to install a completely new type of system which you feel is better or you could simply replace your old system with a more updated model of the same system.

The first type of HVAC system that you can look at will be radiators which are also known as boilers. This system will provide heat by heating water which then travels through a series of pipes to heat your home. You will be able to control the heat by controlling the temperature of the water.  The primary issue with this type of system is that you cannot cool the air and it is incompatible with any central air conditioning infrastructures.

Another system that you can look at will be the forced air systems which burn fuel then circulate the heated air through vents. The fuel used by these systems will include oil, natural gas, and corn. These systems will be compatible with any central air conditioning infrastructure that your home already has.

The last system you might want to consider is the central air system. This is generally an electrical system which heats the air and moves it through vents in your home. It is important to note that this system can also be used to cool the air in your home which is why many people only consider this.

The Size Of The System

Once you know the type of system that you want to get, you need to look at the size of the system. The size of the system that you need will vary depending on the size of the property that you want it to run in. You have to avoid getting a system which is too small or one that is too large.

If you have a system that is too small for your home, you will not be able to heat the rooms properly. There will also be additional strain on the system and it will have to run for longer which increases the costs.  A system that is too large will generally be very expensive to maintain and you will want to avoid this.

To determine the size that you need, you will have to complete a load calculation.  This will determine the optimum size of the system and then you will be able to get the right one for your home. When you have the ideal size, your home will be heated effectively and the maintenance costs will be much lower.

There are a number of online tools that you can use to help you complete the load calculation.  You can also contact an HVAC company to provide you with a calculation. You should never use a rough estimate when looking at size as you will generally under or overestimate your needs.

The Efficiency Of The System

While the size of the system is very important to the efficiency, there are other factors that you need to consider. You will generally be able to choose between standard efficiency and high-efficiency systems. It is important that you know what you should be looking for.

When it comes to energy efficiency, you should look at the ratings for the system. The better the energy rating, the less energy you will be using to run the system. The energy rating system that is in use could vary from the SEER or seasonal energy efficiency ratio to the Energy Star rating. Each rating system will work differently and you need to consider this when you look at them.

Ideally, you should look at both of these ratings when you choose an HVAC system. The SEER rating of 14 or above will indicate a high-efficiency system and you might want to consider this.  An Energy Star certification of A or above will also show a high-efficiency system.

Of course, it is important to note that high-efficiency systems will cost more than standard ones.  However, when you look at the long-term savings on your energy bill, the high-efficiency ones will be the better option.

The Cost

While the size and efficiency of the system are important, there is no point in looking at a system that you cannot afford. The budget that you have for your HVAC system has to be determined before you start looking and you need to stick to it. Larger and more energy efficient systems will cost more and you need to consider this.

If you have a limited budget for your HVAC purchase, you might want to consider single units instead of a system for the entire house. These systems will be able to cool an individual room and will be much cheaper than full systems. They will also not come with any installation costs which can be very helpful on a limited budget.  Also check into the kind of air conditioning refrigerant that is used in the system for optimal energy savings.

The initial cost of the system should be considered as well as the costs of installation. There are some manufacturers and stores that will sell you the system and include installation. However, you will generally have to pay an additional amount for property installation of the system. You need to ensure that any installation done is by a trained professional or you will have problems with the HVAC system in the long-term.

There are many factors that you have to consider when looking at an HVAC system for your home. You need to consider the size of the system as well as the energy rating and the budget that you have.